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Congregation Adath Jeshurun is an inclusive, egalitarian Conservative synagogue welcoming all irrespective of gender, race, or sexual orientation. Dual-faith families who want to be involved in the Jewish community are also welcomed.

Israel's "Lone Soldiers"

November 3, 2013 7:30 PM

Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Tzvika Levy, a member of the elite Tzanchanim (Paratroopers) unit of the IDF, and founder and director of “Lone Soldiers,” will present an update on Israel’s current border issues at Adath Jeshurun, He will also speak on his efforts on behalf of lone soldiers

Lt. Colonel Levy has come to be known as the "Father of Lone Soldiers." In the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a Lone Soldier is defined as a soldier without parents or close family in Israel. These are courageous young men and women who choose to leave their countries of origin in order to serve the State of Israel. For more than 25 years, Levy's official position has been to work with Lone Soldiers whom he places to live on a kibbutz, providing them with a place to call home. As an active kibbutznik, he finds families throughout Israel to “adopt” Lone Soldiers. He has developed a network of almost 150 kibbutzim that are home to approximately 1,000 Lone Soldiers! Levy's mission is to give these brave Lone Soldiers a home, warm meals, and a shoulder to lean on.

Cantor Howard Glantz, father of one lone soldier, Rafi Glantz, said: "This past June, I had the opportunity to meet with Tzvika for breakfast near Beit Shean. His numerous cell phones rang constantly, always related to his work with lone soldiers. Tzvika was generous with his time and connections. He really helped Rafi identify his living options. I don't think there is a lone soldier in Israel who has not benefited in some way from the tremendous efforts of Tzvika Levy."